Boom sheave with tubular reinforcing members

Abstract

A sheave includes a hub defining an axis, a rim defining at least one circumferentially extending groove, and two plates oriented substantially perpendicular to the axis. Each plate is connected to the hub and to the rim, and a plurality of reinforcing tubular members extend between the plates.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A mining shovel including a base and a motor driving a pulling mechanism, the mining shovel comprising:
 a boom extending from the base, the boom having a first end attached to the base, and a second end remote from the base; 
 a boom handle pivotally mounted on the boom; 
 a dipper attached to an end of the boom handle; 
 a hoist rope extending over the second end of the boom and supporting the end of the boom handle, the hoist rope configured to be driven by the motor; and 
 a sheave rotatably attached to the second end of the boom, the sheave including a hub rotatably coupled to the boom and defining an axis, two parallel plates defining a space therebetween, each plate including an outer perimeter and an inner edge connected to the hub, a unitary rim member having an inner surface secured to the outer perimeter of both plates and defining multiple circumferentially extending grooves for receiving and guiding the hoist rope over the second end of the boom, and a plurality of reinforcing tubular members extending between the plates, each tubular member extending through both plates and defining a hollow space extending through both plates. 
 
     
     
       2. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the boom handle further includes a connecting mechanism engaging the hoist rope and connecting at least one of the dipper and the boom handle with the sheave. 
     
     
       3. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein each tubular member is coupled to both of the plates. 
     
     
       4. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular members have a circular cross-section. 
     
     
       5. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the plates is equal to a length of the tubular members. 
     
     
       6. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular members extend in a direction perpendicular to the plates. 
     
     
       7. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein each plate defines a plurality of openings, wherein the openings are substantially axially aligned, and wherein a shape of the openings corresponds to a cross-section of the tubular members. 
     
     
       8. The mining shovel of  claim 7 , wherein the tubular members are aligned with the openings. 
     
     
       9. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the circumferentially extending grooves radially outwardly. 
     
     
       10. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular members each define a central axis, and wherein the central axis of each tubular member is substantially parallel to the axis of the hub. 
     
     
       11. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the unitary rim member includes a pair of outer circumferential edges and an intermediate circumferential edge dividing the grooves, wherein the surface extending between the outer circumferential edges is continuous. 
     
     
       12. The mining shovel of  claim 11 , wherein the pair of outer circumferential edges extend out radially further than the intermediate circumferential edge dividing the grooves. 
     
     
       13. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the outer perimeter of each parallel plate is secured to the inner surface of the unitary rim member by welding. 
     
     
       14. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein each tubular member includes a first end welded to one of the parallel plates and a second end welded to the other of the parallel plates. 
     
     
       15. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the inner edge of each plate is welded to an outer surface of the hub. 
     
     
       16. The mining shovel of  claim 1 , wherein an enclosed space is defined between the parallel plates, the hub, the inner surface of the unitary rim member, and the tubular members.